Cherry tree named ‘TF 7142’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct sweet cherry tree ( Prunus avium ) named ‘TF 7142’ is disclosed. ‘TF 7142’ is characterized by early maturing, and round-oblong shaped fruit that is dark in color.

Genus and species: Prunus avium.

Variety denomination: ‘TF 7142’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new cherry cultivar that has been given the variety denomination ‘TF 7142’, was discovered by the inventor in March of 2001, in a cultivated orchard at Zillah, Wash. ‘TF 7142’ has been shown to remain true to type over successive generations. Specifically, the mother tree of the naturally occurring sport ‘TF 7142’ is of unknown parentage, but assumed to be the ‘Bing’ cultivar. ‘TF 7142’ was discovered in an established orchard block of ‘Bing’ (not patented) and ‘Rainer’ (not patented) cherry trees, which was purchased in 1984, and is located at 3271 Roza Drive, Zillah, Wash. 98953, in Yakima County. Over the years after purchasing the orchard, occasional trees were replaced from nursery stock. In 2014, the tree ‘TF 7142’ that was planted in 2004 (on ‘Mazzard’ varietal rootstock), was noticed by the inventor to not be like the ‘Bing’ cultivar it was supposed to be. In 2016 and 2017, second generation scion wood of the apparent sport ‘TF 7142’ were grafted on ‘Gisela 6’ (commonly referred to as ‘G6’) and ‘Gisela 12’ (commonly referred to as ‘G12’) varietal rootstocks, and the subsequent fruit is identical to that of the ‘TF 7142’ mother tree.

The ‘TF 7142’ tree produces a dark sweet cherry that are unique in that the ‘TF 7142’ blooms approximately one week earlier than the ‘Bing’ cultivar, and approximately four days earlier than the ‘Chelan’ cultivar. The ‘TF 7142’ fruit mature ahead of ‘Bing’ and ‘Chelan’ and the ‘TF 7142’ fruit exhibit a round-oblong shape that is different than that of ‘Chelan’ and ‘Bing’.

Throughout several generations of asexual propagation, ‘TF 7142’ has been observed to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new a distinct variety of cherry tree Prunus avium, which has been given the variety denomination ‘TF 7142’. ‘TF 7142’ is a dark cherry that is unique in that it blooms approximately one week earlier than the ‘Bing’ cultivar, and approximately four days earlier than the ‘Chelan’ cultivar. The ‘TF 7142’ fruit exhibits a round-oblong shape that is different than that of ‘Chelan’ and ‘Bing’, and matures ahead of ‘Bing’ and ‘Chelan’. Notably, the S-allele genotype of ‘TF 7142’ is S¹S⁴, whereas ‘Chelan’ is S³S⁹, and ‘Bing’ is S³S⁴. ‘TF 7142’ is a softer cherry than ‘Chelan’ and has less acid than ‘Chelan’.

COMPARISON OF ‘TF 7142’ TO COMARISON CULTIVAR

Table 1., below, sets forth some of the distinguishing characteristics of ‘TF 7142’ as compared the ‘Chelan’ cultivar, as a closely comparable cultivar. Firmness ratings were measured using a ‘Firm Tech 2’ brand of firmness tester, and ratings are in milligrams needed to depress 1 millimeter. Acid is a percentage measurement of tartaric acid, and peak size is a standard fruit per row, meaning the number of cherries of a uniform size necessary to pack row-faced across a container having a 10½ inch inside width.

TABLE 1 Ave. Cherry Harvest Date Firmness pH ° Brix Acid Peak Size ‘TF 7142’ Jun. 4, 2018 341 3.72 16.2 7.33% 9 ‘Chelan’ Jun. 8, 2018 371 3.5 16.3 9.65% 11

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 is a color photograph that illustrates near mature fruit clusters of ‘TF 7142’;

FIG. 2 is a color photograph that illustrates full bloom of blossom cluster of the ‘TF 7142’;

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that illustrates dormant fruiting spurs of the ‘TF 7142’;

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that illustrates the ‘TF 7142’ mother tree at full dormancy;

FIG. 5 is a color photograph that illustrates the foliage of the ‘TF 7142’;

FIG. 6 is a color photograph that illustrates a comparison between the fruits of ‘Bing’, ‘Chelan’, ‘Coral’, and ‘TF 7142’ cherry varieties, as present in the same orchard on May 23, 2018; and

FIG. 7 is a color photograph that illustrates of ‘TF 7142’ cherries at harvest maturity.

The colors of these photographic illustrations may vary with lighting conditions and, therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following description is based on observations made during the 2016-2018 growing seasons at Zillah, Wash. It should be understood that the characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual trees of the new variety. The measurements of any individual tree or any group of trees, of the new variety may vary from the stated average. All color references herein are based on The 2001 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (4^(th) edition).

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—For observed age and rootstock, considered moderate at             approximately 12 feet tall and approximately 20 feet in             diameter.         -   Vigor.—Considered moderately high.         -   Branching habit.—Upright and spreading.         -   Density.—Considered moderate.         -   Form.—Trained to open vase.         -   Hardiness.—Considered hardy for region.         -   Production.—Considered moderately high in precocity with a             yield of 12 tons per acre based on yields of mature mother             tree on ‘Mazzard’ rootstock and a plant spacing of 20             feet×20 feet.         -   Bearing.—Annual. -   Trunk (as measured at harvest maturity):     -   -   Size.—Circumference at 30 cm above ground is 112 cm.         -   Texture.—20% area smooth with the remainder considered as             being rough.         -   Color.—Smooth texture color from the grey-green group 197B.             Rough texture color from the grey group 201A.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous and prominent with a horizontal             orientation. Length ranges from 15.4 mm to 52.7 mm with an             average of 27.8 mm. Width ranges from 1.7 mm to 8.6 mm with             an average of 4.1 mm. Number of lenticels average 18 per 9             square centimeters. Color is from grey group 201A. -   Branches (as measured at harvest maturity):     -   -   Scaffold branches.—Texture — Mostly smooth. Size —             Circumference at 10 cm from trunk union ranges from 41.0 mm             to 46.4 mm with an average of 41.1 mm. Angles as trained             range from 60 degrees to 75 degrees from horizontal. Color —             From the greyed-purple group N186C. Lenticels — Numerous             averaging 14 per 9 square cm. Length ranges from 16.4 mm to             33.6 mm with an average of 24.3 mm. Width ranges from 3.6 mm             to 8.8 mm with an average of 6.7 mm. Center color is from             the greyed-purple group N186C, outer margin color from the             white group N155A.         -   Second year fruiting branches.—Texture — Smooth. Diameter —             Ranges from 5.6 mm to 8.8 mm at mid-point of growth with an             average of 7.3 mm. Color — From the grey-brown group 199A.             Lenticels — Moderate in number averaging 8 per running cm;             are round in shape and range from 0.8 mm to 1.4 mm in             diameter. Color from the grey-brown group 199C.         -   Current year branches.—Texture — Smooth. Size — Length             ranges from 24.5 cm to 45 cm with an average of 34.6 cm.             Diameter ranges from 3.6 mm to 5.2 mm, with an average of             4.5 mm at half-way point. Color — Upper surface color from             the grey-brown group 199A, lower surface color from the             yellow-green group 145A. Internode length — Ranges from 3.0             cm to 5.2 cm with an average of 4.5 cm. Lenticels — moderate             in number averaging 5 per running cm; small, round and             ranging 1.2 mm to 1.4 mm in diameter; color is from the             greyed-orange group 164D. -   Flower buds (as measured at full bud swell):     -   -   Spur length.—Ranges from 15.6 mm to 39.7 mm, with an average             of 27.0 mm.         -   Bud shape.—Chordate.         -   Number buds per fruiting spur.—Ranges from 6 to 9 with an             average of 8.         -   Bud length.—Ranges from 7.6 mm to 10.0 mm with an average of             8.8 mm.         -   Bud diameter.—Ranges from 4.0 mm to 5.8 mm with an average             of 4.8 mm.         -   Scale color.—From the greyed-orange group 174A. -   Leaves (with measurements from midpoint of actively growing current     season's growth at harvest maturity):     -   -   Blade.—Size — length ranges from 15.0 cm to 16.5 cm and             averages 15.6 cm; width ranges from 5.7 cm to 7.6 cm with an             average of 6.3 cm; and thickness averages 0.15 mm. Texture —             Upper surface is smooth and leathery, lower surface is             smooth with vein protruding above surface. Tip — Acuminate.             Base — Oblique. Form/shape — deltoid with acuminate tip.             Margin — Serrate. Blade color — Upper surface from the             yellow-green group 147A; and lower surface color from the             yellow-green group 147B.         -   Mid-vein.—Considered medium large and prominent averaging             1.2 mm in diameter at mid-point of blade with a range of 1.0             to 1.4 mm; and color from the yellow-green group 145D.         -   Petiole.—Averages 4.0 cm in length with a range of 3.5 cm to             4.9 cm; diameter at mid-point ranges from 1.6 mm to 2.2 mm             with an average of 1.9 mm; upper surface color is from the             greyed-purple group 183A; lower surface color is from the             yellow-green group 145D; and a 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm depth groove             runs the full length of upper surface.         -   Glands.—Present, kidney shaped and averaging 2.7 mm in             length by 1.6 mm in width; with 1 to 3 glands per petiole,             mostly 2 alternating in position along grove of petiole and             located from 1.0 mm to 8.0 mm from blade base; and color             from the greyed-orange group 166B.         -   Stipules.—Not present.         -   Attitude.—Somewhat drooping. -   Flowers: Bloom stands out, does not droop.     -   -   Observed first bloom.—Mar. 27, 2016; Apr. 8, 2017; and Mar.             31, 2018.         -   Observed full bloom.—Apr. 3, 2016; Apr. 16, 2017; and Apr.             8, 2018.         -   Size.—Bloom diameter when fully open averages 33.5 mm and is             considered open.         -   Bloom count.—Ranges from 2 to 3 blossoms per bud, mostly 3.         -   Petals.—Five in number; color is from the white group 155C;             average length is 17.0 mm; average width is 15.6 mm; and             when fully open, petals are considered free.         -   Petal shape.—Round, base is obtuse and the apex is             emarginate.         -   Nectary color.—Color is from the yellow-green group 154B.         -   Stamens.—Filament — Average number per bloom is 35; and             color is from the white group 155C; and average length is             9.7 mm. Anther — Round in shape, with average 0.45 mm             diameter. Pollen — Abundant; and color is from the             greyed-orange 163A.         -   Carpel.—Style — Average length is 13.8 mm; and color is from             the yellow-green group 149D. Stigma — Clubbed and considered             round in shape; with diameter range from 0.5 mm to 0.6 mm;             and color from the yellow-green group 151A.         -   Sepals.—Five in number; deltoid in shape, and laid back over             thalmus; average base width is 4.8 mm; average length is 6.3             mm; and color is from the yellow-green group 147C, with             outside tip highlights from the greyed-red group 181C.         -   Peduncle.—Average length is 26.1 mm; average diameter at             mid-length is 0.8 mm; and color is from the green group             137D.         -   Thalmus.—Average depth is 7.0 mm, and average width at the             opening is 3.6 mm; urn shaped; and color from the             yellow-green group N144B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity.—Harvest maturity Jun. 4, 2018.         -   Size.—Considered large, with average apical diameter 26.3             mm, and average axial diameter is 28.6 mm.         -   Form.—Considered round oblong, with uniform sides.         -   Suture.—Mostly indistinct and narrow, 0.1 mm in width on             back side only, generally pushed out from sides giving             ribbed appearance, 0.4 mm to 0.5 mm in height.         -   Base.—Uniform cordate in shape; width averages 12.7 mm; and             depth averages 4.8 mm.         -   Apex.—Rounded ending in slight distinct depression of 1.0 to             1.5 mm marked by a russetted dot 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm in             diameter.         -   Peduncle.—Length ranges from 31.7 mm to 45.9 mm with an             average length of 40.2 mm; diameter at mid-point averages             1.1 mm; and color is from the yellow-green group 144A. Skin:             Thickness — Considered thin, 0.05 to 0.1 mm. Texture —             Surface is smooth and clear, melting in mouth. Tenacity —             Considered moderate, and can be peeled without tearing             flesh. Tendency to crack — Very light, following rain             events. Down — Wanting. Color — Uniform, from the             greyed-purple group 187A. Flesh: Color — From the             greyed-purple group 184A. Surface of pit cavity color — From             the greyed-purple group N186A. Texture — Firm and snappy.             Fibers — Considered lightly fibrous. Pit tenacity — Slight             around suture line and sides. Ripens — Evenly. Flavor —             Sweet and sub acid. Aroma — Slight cherry like. Eating             quality — Excellent. Stone: Type — Light-cling type. Size —             Considered medium; averages 10.7 mm base to apex, 8.1 mm             wide shoulder to shoulder; and 7.5 mm wide suture to suture.             Form — Narrow elliptic. Base — Rounded. Apex — Rounded.             Sides — Equal. Surface — Smooth. Ventral Edge — Suture is             slightly raised 1 mm and is subtended by two low ridges             converging basally and apically that averages 3.6 mm wide             and 1.2 mm in height at the mid-point, and these ridges are             again subtended by two partial ridges extending from base to             ⅔ distance to apex and averages 5.6 mm wide at widest point             and averages 0.9 mm in height. Dorsal Edge — distinct,             smooth, slightly raised ridge from base to apex averages 0.6             mm high and 0.2 mm wide. Color — From the greyed-yellow             group — 161D. Tendency to split — None observed. Kernel:             Shape — Considered obtus. Base — Rounded. Apex — Acute. Size             — Length ranges from 6.8 mm to 7.5 mm with an average of 7.2             mm; width ranges from 4.3 mm to 4.8 mm, with an average of             4.5 mm; and thickness ranges from 2.1 mm to 3.2 mm with an             average of 2.9 mm. Color — From the greyed-orange group             164B. Taste — Biter, almond like. Viability — 100% kernel             development observed, and viable kernel germination unknown.         -   Genetics.—‘TF 7142’ has the S1 S4 alleles, while ‘Chelan’             has an S-allele genotype of S³ S⁹.         -   Pollination requirement.—‘TF 7142’ is not self-fertile and             in contrast, any cherry cultivar that is self-fertile or             does not have an S-allele genotype of S¹ S⁴ would be able to             pollinate         -   Use.—Early season, premium fresh market.         -   Resistance to insects and diseases.—Shows no unusual             susceptibility nor resistance to any diseases and/or plant             or fruit pests of sweet cherry found in the south central             region of Washington State.         -   Variance in botanical details.—‘TF 7142’ exhibits the above             described characteristics as grown in Yakima County, in the             south central region of Washington state. It is expected             that differences may occur when grown in areas exhibiting             different growing conditions. 

What is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Cherry Tree as illustrated and described herein. 